The document calls for stricter oversight of oil and chemical facilities, strengthening of emergency preparedness programs, and other measures to better protect refinery workers and the public.

Keywords:

California recently released a draft report outlining measures
to improve public and worker safety at and near the
states petroleum refineries.

The report, titled Improving Public and Worker Safety
at Oil Refineries, is a product of a
13-agency task group formed after the August 2012 fire at
Chevrons Contra Costa County refinery in Richmond,
California.

The document calls for stricter oversight of oil and chemical
facilities, strengthening of
emergency preparedness programs, and other measures to better
protect refinery workers and the
public.

The writers suggest creating by September 1 an interagency
task force housed within the California Environmental Protection Agency to
coordinate and implement the report's recommendations.

In a written statement, the chair of the US Chemical
Safety Board (CSB) applauded the findings and
recommendations, stating that the report represents an
important step forward in improving oil refinery safety and environmental performance in
California.

In light of the Motiva Port Arthur TX Refinery having 2 fires in one week recently, this is timely. The CSB investigation into the BP Texas City TX Refinery disaster that killed 15 & injured 180 was rather shocking, many organizational disconnects were found.